Preliminary observations on the effects of macrocyclic trichothecenes on plant growth

The biological properties of the macrocyclic trichothecenes roridin A, isororidin E, baccharinol B4, verrucarin A, verrucarin J and trichoverrin B were assayed with etiolated wheat coleoptiles ( Triticum aestivum L.), bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.), corn ( Zea mays L.) and tobacco ( Nicotiana tabacum L.). Metabolites were tested from 10 −3 to 10 −8 M in the coleoptile assay and from 10 −2 to 10 −4 M in intact plants. All inhibited coleoptile growth; verrucarins A and J, and trichoverrin B inhibited to 10 −7 M. All induced effects in plants that ranged from chlorosis, necrosis, malformations to stunting.